Thoughts from a Girl in the Woods

We pull into the driveway after a busy day right in the middle of a hectic few weeks. Our yard looks like a jungle. I sigh, somewhat despairingly, somewhat longingly,

“I have got to spend some time in our yard,” I say.

Firefly pipes right up.

“So you can get a breath, Mama?”

I smile, a bit startled at her astuteness, realizing that yes, subconsciously, that is what I wanted. Just to catch a breath.

“Yes,” I reply. “A very, deep breath.”

The wildlife in my backyard does not encroach upon my habitat, but we sit right in the middle of theirs. An intimidating, Tennessee version of a rainforest, lives just off our deck. We stand at the windows and watch the deer graze. Their ears perk at our murmuring and we are the ones behind the glass and they observe us like we are the tourist attraction. Today, the butterflies, flutter and float, sipping from the second butterfly bush blooms of the summer. The birds finally discover that their long-deserted birdhouse is once again filled with seed and they eat and flit, excited, I think, to tell their friends. I can hear the birds’ grapevine for myself, the trees full of extra chirping and whistling. I linger outside, just wanting to soak in all the life.

And the sweet hustle and bustle of life being given more life.

I realize that my daughter is right: life does beg for more life in one form or another. When God created each living thing on this earth by His spoken word, it was good. When He actually breathed His life into the nose of Adam, His very breath was inhaled by human lungs, forever to be breathed in and out, in and out. And when we are most exhaled, the most drained, the most fatigued, whether by responsibility or relationship, what we are most craving is more life. Fresh breath to inhale. And then to exhale.

When my children are most driving me crazy and when I most want my own space and most want them just to please be quiet, what I’m really wanting is perfect, tidy relationship. What they are usually wanting, is simply more of me.

More life.

Perhaps it is the same in most relationships. When relationship seems most dead and most impeded by whatever, and we most want to walk away, maybe what we’re most desiring is just the strength for someone to enter in. To breathe life or to have life breathed into us.

Maybe it’s never too late. Maybe God gives us second summer blooms, or seed in our deserted birdhouses. Maybe where we thought no life was, there’s still a space for possibility. Maybe we just need to revisit.

I’ve never been quiet about how much I love your writing, but I’m not sure I compliment you on your beautiful photography nearly enough.
I love your photos, Audra. And I love that you’ve got them featured prominently in your posts. It’s a little bit of extra work, but it is so worth it. Thank you for sharing these (and all of your other) beautiful images.

It’s so nice to meet you!

Just a gal named Audra who loves to write and occasionally finds snippets of time in which to weave words and swirling thoughts. Just a mama to two baby girls and a wife to her high school sweetheart. Just a grace-clinging seeker, learning to embrace His abundant goodness in these very real life limits.

Need Prayer?

If you have a need or request, would you give me the honor of praying for you? Feel free to email me at lifeinlimits@gmail.com
~God shapes the world by prayer. Prayers are deathless. They outlive the lives of those who uttered them.~
- E. M. Bounds

If you'd like this delivered to your inbox....

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Want to get in touch?

So glad you stopped by! I'd love for you to introduce yourself and maybe share a bit of "your narrative" with me! Feel free to email me at:
lifeinlimits@gmail.com